Arrangement for water activities

ABSTRACT

An arrangement for underwater activities comprises at least two spaces arranged one on the other thereby forming a multilayer structure, where at least one space is configured to be filled by the water for water activity. In addition the arrangement comprises a room for spectators. Each of said spaces comprises at least one wall and layer forming together said space. The first space comprises a first set of activity means for underwater activity, and the second space comprises a second set of activity means for activity. At least portion of said walls and/or layers are transparent. In addition the room for spectators is arranged in connection with said spaces and separated from the space by the wall and/or layer structure.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an arrangement for water activities, and especially for underwater activities, such as underwater sports, training and scuba diving, for example. More precisely the present invention relates to an arrangement for water and underwater activities comprising spaces fully or partially filled with water, which spaces are equipped with one or more openings for entering the space and water within it.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For humans the water and especially underwater environment is hostile and continued existence underwater require special means, mainly for providing breathing air underwater. Thus all actions taking place underwater include certain risks for humans. When these risks are combined with the natural fear that majority of humans have for deep underwater places, most people never try any kind of underwater activities.

Thus there is a need for arrangement that provide possibility for people to try out or to train various underwater activities without the major risks and fears associated to these types of activities. Further, any activities or sports taking place underwater are somewhat problematic in view of the spectators so that also spectators are able to follow the activities fluently and in easy and safe way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to alleviate and eliminate the problems relating to the known prior art. Especially the object of the invention is to provide an arrangement for easily and safely training or trying underwater activities. An additional object of the invention is to allow spectators easily follow underwater activities outside the water, but so that they have comprehensive feeling and experience.

The object of the invention can be achieved by the features of independent claim.

The invention relates to an arrangement for underwater activities according to claim 1.

According to an embodiment of the invention an arrangement for underwater activities comprises at least two spaces configured to provide environment for the activities. The spaces comprise at least one wall and layer (such as a floor and/or roof) forming together said space. The form of the space may be e.g. a cylinder form, whereupon one wall (circle or elliptical) is enough. Of course the space may also comprise more walls. At least portion of the walls and/or layers are advantageously transparent material or structures in order to facilitate the spectacular views.

The spaces are arranged one on the other thereby forming a multilayer structure in vertical direction, where at least one first space, advantageously the lower space, is configured to be filled by the water, and another second space, advantageously the upper space, is configured to be filled partially with water. The first one is an advantageous space for divers and other underwater activities, whereas the second space is an advantageous space for swimmers or trainees. In addition the arrangement may comprise also one space, advantageously upmost space, which is a dry space and suitable for dry activities. The spaces may also comprise opening(s) between them to allow objects, such as human, to move between said spaces.

According to an embodiment the first space comprises a first set of activity means for underwater activity, such as diving. The second space may comprise a second set of activity means for activity, such as swimming. Said activity means may be e.g. tunnels, paths, hulks or the like.

In addition the arrangement comprises also a room for spectators. The room is advantageously arranged in connection with the spaces and separated from the space by the wall and/or layer structure. The room comprises advantageously a floor or bench row structure for spectators, which are also at least partially of transparent material in order to facilitate the spectacular views.

According to an embodiment the arrangement comprises a container supporting said spaces. The container may be arranged e.g. at least partially inside the ground or at least partially under free water level of the open water environment, such as a lake or sea. According to an example the spaces may be arranged to be moved essentially in a vertical direction in the container. The movement may be achieved for example via hydrostatic pressure applied to the space structure, such as to the bottom area of the spaces or via hydraulic cylinders, chains, or the like by which the spaces can be lifted and/or lowered and thereby adjusting the level of the water inside the spaces or controlling the spaces to be immersed into the water or to be kept out of water.

According to an exemplary embodiment the arrangement is a floating platform connected to the container and/or the spaces, and therefore supports the container and/or spaces and keeps the container and/or at least one space partially above surface level of the body of water. The floating platform may also provide a room for the spectators. The floating platform may comprise own propulsion system, such as a motor and suitable propeller or the like, or alternatively the floating construction is configured to be towed by tugboats to different locations on water, and anchored to keep its position.

According to an embodiment the space may comprise also an inner wall structure arranged inside the space and configured to form with suitable roof element or the like and a sub-space, such as a room, theatre, or auditorium for the spectators. It is to be noticed that the sub-space may thus comprise suitable floor or bench structures for the spectators. The sub-space may be formed between the outer wall of the space and the inner wall structures of the sub-space. According to another embodiment the sub-space may be formed by the inner wall structure so that the sub-space is surrounded only by the inner wall (and possible roof element) and the sub-space is arranged inside the area defined by said inner wall structure. According to this embodiment water can be feed between the outer wall of the space and the inner wall structures of the sub-space. This allows very convenient and comprehensive feeling and experience for the spectators, because they are surrounded by the water, divers, swimmers etc., for example.

The sub-space may also comprise opening at its lower portion, such as at the bottom, to allowing entrance to and from the water of the water filled space. The sub-space is also advantageously limited in its upper portion by a layer, such as horizontal layer, like a roof, for example between the first and second spaces. According to an embodiment the arrangement comprises advantageously a pressure providing means configured to provide pressure inside the sub-space in order to keep said space empty of the water. The pressure providing means is advantageously configured to maintain the pressure (overpressure) inside the sub-space essentially equal to the hydrostatic pressure at the same level due to the water depth of the water filled space and thereby to keep the water surface at the opening in a certain level and thereby provide said sub-space as an air-filled space, where spectators can be without any special diving or respiratory equipment.

Each of the sub-space may be configured to be pressurized so that the lower the sub-space locates, the higher the overpressure is provided in order to better compensate the stress at the wall structure caused by the hydrostatic pressure of the water of the container. This offer remarkable advantages namely the thickness of the transparent wall structure can be decreased, which additionally increased transparency and visibility. The openings are configured to allow movement of the object, like divers, between the space or sub-space and the container filled with water.

The exemplary embodiments of the invention presented in this document are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb “to comprise” is used in this document as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Next the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 illustrates a principle of an exemplary arrangement for underwater activities according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,

FIGS. 2A-3B illustrate an example of the movement of the spaces of the arrangement according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary arrangement for underwater activities according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate examples of arrangements 100 for underwater activities, and the FIGS. 2A-3B illustrate an example of the movement of the spaces of the arrangement according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention. The arrangement 100 for underwater activities comprises at least two spaces 101, 102, 103 configured to provide environment for the activities. The spaces comprise at least one wall 104 and layer 105 (such as a floor and/or roof) forming together said space.

The spaces 101, 102, 103 are arranged one on the other thereby forming a multilayer structure in vertical direction. Typically the lower space 101 is configured to be filled by the water 106, and another second space 102, advantageously the upper space, is configured to be filled partially with water 106. The first space 101 is an advantageous space for divers and other underwater activities, whereas the second space 102 is an advantageous space for swimmers or trainees. In addition the arrangement may comprise also one space, advantageously upmost space 103, which is a dry space and suitable for dry activities. The spaces may also comprise opening(s) 107 between them to allow objects, such as human, to move between said spaces 101, 102, 103.

The first space 101 may comprise a first set of activity means 101 a for underwater activity, such as diving. The second space 103 may comprise a second set of activity means 102 a for activity, such as swimming. Said activity means may be e.g. tunnels, paths, hulks or the like. The third space 103 may also comprise a third set of activity means 103 a, especially dry activity means.

In addition the arrangement comprises also a room 108 for spectators. The room is advantageously arranged in connection with the spaces 101, 102, 103 and separated from the space by the wall 109 and/or layer structure. The room comprises advantageously a floor or bench row structure 110 for spectators. The structures, such as the bench or floor are also at least partially of transparent material in order to facilitate the spectacular views.

The arrangement may also comprise a container 111 supporting said spaces 101, 102, 103. According to an example the spaces 101, 102, 103 may be arranged to be moved essentially in a vertical direction 119 in the container, as can be seen in FIGS. 2A, 2B. The movement may be achieved for example via hydrostatic pressure applied to the bottom area of the spaces or via hydraulic cylinders, chains, or the like by which the spaces can be lifted and/or lowered.

According to an embodiment the space 101 may comprise also an inner wall structure 114 arranged inside the space 101 and configured to form with suitable roof element 112 or the like and a sub-space 113, such as a room, theatre, or auditorium for the spectators. It is to be noticed that the sub-space 113 may thus comprise suitable floor or bench structures 110 for the spectators. The sub-space 113 may be formed between the outer wall 104 of the space 101 and the inner wall structures 114 of the sub-space 113. Alternatively the sub-space 113 may be formed by the inner wall structure 114 so that the sub-space is surrounded only by the inner wall (and possible roof element 112) and the sub-space 113 is arranged inside the area defined by said inner wall structure 114 (as is illustrated in FIG. 3). According to this embodiment water can be feed between the outer wall of the space and the inner wall structures of the sub-space. This allows very convenient and comprehensive feeling and experience for the spectators, because they are surrounded by the water, divers, swimmers etc., for example.

The sub-space 113 may also comprise opening 115 at its lower portion, such as at the bottom, to allowing entrance to and from the water 106 of the water filled space. The sub-space is also advantageously limited in its upper portion by a layer 112, such as horizontal layer, like a roof, for example between the first and second spaces. According to an embodiment the arrangement comprises advantageously a pressure providing means 116 configured to provide pressure inside the sub-space 113 in order to keep said space empty of the water. The pressure providing means is advantageously configured to maintain the pressure (overpressure) inside the sub-space essentially equal to the hydrostatic pressure at the same level due to the water depth of the water filled space and thereby to keep the water surface at the opening 115 in a certain level and thereby provide said sub-space as an air-filled space, where spectators can be without any special diving or respiratory equipment.

It is to be noted that the arrangement may comprise plurality of the sub-spaces 108. According to an embodiment each of the sub-space 108 may be configured to be pressurized so that the lower the sub-space locates, the higher the overpressure is provided in order to better compensate the stress at the wall structure caused by the hydrostatic pressure of the water of the container.

The arrangement may comprise an air-lock-type means 117 in the connection with at least one space 101, 102, 103, especially in connection with the sub-space 113 of the first space 101 for entering into the space 113 via said air lock. One can further enter into the second space 102 via the opening 107 of the lower portion of the sub-space.

The arrangement advantageously comprises also means for filling the container and/or the spaces with water, means for removing water from the container and/or the spaces, means for removing air from the container or spaces, and means for feeding air to the container and/or spaces. In addition the container and/or spaces 101, 102, 1034 are equipped with means 118 for allowing water to quickly escape from the container and/or spaces.

In addition the arrangements may also be provided with controllable light or laser systems for providing an underwater light show, for example, as well as also with a fogmaker or bubble maker for providing underwater smoke and/or bubbles, such as air bubbles especially for show intention.

The invention has been explained above with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, and several advantages of the invention have been demonstrated. It is clear that the invention is not only restricted to these embodiments, but comprises all possible embodiments within the spirit and scope of the inventive thought and the following patent claims. 

1. An arrangement for underwater activities, wherein the arrangement comprises: at least two spaces arranged one on the other thereby forming a multilayer structure, where at least one space is configured to be filled by the water for water activity, and a room for spectators, wherein: each of said at least two spaces comprises at least one wall, and a layer forming together said space, and at least a portion of said at least one wall and/or layer is transparent, and wherein said room for spectators is arranged in connection with said at least two spaces and separated from the spaces by a wall and/or a layer structure, and one of the at least two spaces comprises a first set of activity means for underwater activity, and another of the at least two spaces comprises a second set of activity means for activity.
 2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least one space, advantageously lower space, is configured to be filled with water at least one space, advantageously upper space, is filled partially with water and/or one space, advantageously upmost space, is a dry space.
 3. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement comprises a container supporting said spaces, and wherein said spaces are arranged to be moved in a vertical direction in the container.
 4. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said spaces comprise opening(s) between them to allow objects to move between a first space to a second space.
 5. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least one space comprises an inner wall structure configured to form a sub-space, where said sub-space is formed either between the outer and inner wall structures of said sub-space or where said inner wall structure is configured to form an inner-sub-space limited by said inner wall structure.
 6. The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said sub-space/inner-sub-space comprises an opening at its lower portion to the water of the water filled space and limited in its upper portion by said layer between said first and second spaces.
 7. The arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said sub-space/inner-sub-space comprises a pressure providing means configured to provide pressure inside the sub-space essentially equal to the hydrostatic pressure at the same level due to the water depth of the water filled space and thereby to keep the water surface at the opening in a certain level and thereby provide an air-sub-space filled space.
 8. The arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said sub-space comprises underwater theatre or auditorium, bench row(s) for spectators, and wherein said bench row, roofs and/or walls are made of transparent material.
 9. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement comprises an air-lock-type means in the connection with at least one space, especially in connection with the sub-space of the first space for entering into the space via said air lock.
 10. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the walls of the container and/or spaces is transparent, or the walls comprise section that is transparent, for allowing observation of the activities taking place inside the reservoir from outside of the reservoir.
 11. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the upper portion of the container comprises at least one open opening for entering to the container.
 12. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the arrangement comprises means for filling the container and/or the spaces with water, water removing means for removing water from the container and/or the spaces, means for removing air from the container or spaces, and means for feeding air to the container and/or spaces.
 13. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the arrangement comprises or wherein the arrangement is configured to function as a floating platform connected to the container and/or the spaces, and therefore supports the container and/or spaces and keeps the container and/or at least one space partially above surface level of the body of water, and wherein the floating platform provides also a room for spectators.
 14. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the arrangement comprises a room for spectators surrounded by and/or covered by the container and/or spaces.
 15. (canceled)
 16. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein inside the at least one space there is provided a room for spectators.
 17. (canceled) 